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Endorsed and Supported by: Idaho Springs Police Dept Loaves and Fishes Clear Creek County Health Dept Local Churches Idaho Springs Senior Resource Center VFW Lions Club Women's Social Ethics Idaho Springs Rotary Club Clear Creek Rock House ins a non-profit organization. All donations are fully tax deductible. Contact
Executve Director Cheryl Holmberg
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In April of 1999, a need was identified in Clear Creek County, when it was learned that 75 families were traveling from Idaho Springs to Evergreen Outreach for food. In addition, youths lacked places to go in Idaho Spirings. Inspired by the overwhelming need of families in Clear Creek County, the leaders in the community responded and began planning a food bank (which eventually became Loaves and Fishes) and a youth outreach program (which became The Rock House - named by the youths themselves). A year long process involving fifteen churches, the Department of Human Services, Clear Creek Department of Health, and the Evergreen Christian Outreach led to the opening a food bank. A year later, September 30, 2001, the doors to the Rock House opened. Funding is being sought for general operating support or The Clear Creek Rock House to help with operating expenses associated with maintaining facilities, staff, programs and program development. Over the past two years, The Clear Creek Rock House has provided services to all of the 600 students in Clear Creek County who attend junior high and high school. Homelessness and abandonment, impending school failure or being permanently expelled from school, involvement with the juvenile justice system, family crisis - including divorce, violence, substance abuse, poverty and untreated mental health issues - all create stress and risk factors for our community's young people, many of whom seek refuge and conversation at the Rock House. In our mountain community we have no recreational activities such as bowling, roller skating, or movies for our youth. We are the only alternative place for students to go. The Rock House cannot do this work alone, and by being a part of an integrated "system of care" holds great promise in our creating a seamless system of services and support, as well as promoting best practices. Currently, 22.9% of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunches (Clear Creek School District) Being a middle class mountain community forces many parents into long commutes straining their time availability for their children The youth will benefit by regular access to volunteer caring adults with time to listen, advise and reinforce. This will happen within the context of well-monitored and organized programs. The young people who choose to become involved in the programs will have the opportunity for supportive, unconditional relationships with adults; healthy peer relationships; an increase in life skills and developmental assets as well as support for the achievement of their own personal goals. Other benefits include improved relationships with the local law enforcement agencies, improvement in grades, better graduation statistics, less use of alcohol and drugs, greater community support of youth in general and youth ownership in our community demonstrated by serving and giving back. |
Clear Creek Rock
House
P.O. Box 1256
1637 Miner St
Idaho Springs, CO 80452
Phone: 303-567-4950
Fax: 303-567-4950
